Daniel Stewart

When we talk about connection we're usually referring to the bond between horse and rider, and the relationship that's created by working together and learning from each other as a team of two equal partners. While this kind of connection is invaluable to achieving success in any riding discipline, there's another form of connection that's just as important.

One day soon you're going to do everything right, but it'll still go wrong. You'll be well prepared and focused and then it happens. Your 1,2000 lb. horse spooks at a butterfly or it begins to rain as soon as you walk into the show arena. While you can't predict these kind of crazy challenges, you can certainly prepare for them.

The GPS in your car gets you where you want to go physically. The GPS in your head gets you where you want to go mentally. GPS is an athletic acronym for Goal-Problem-Solution, a unique technique combining goal setting with problem solving.
1. Goal

At some point in your riding career you got a little nervous, distracted, frustrated, sad, angry, disappointed or cranky. You name it... you've probably felt it. It's normal to feel these emotion from time to time, but they sure do get in the way of you being happy in your happy place.

"If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." We've all heard the quote, but how many of us forget to take our own advice when we speak to ourselves? Riding is a sport of distances, from 12' strides to 3' fences and 550 meters per minute. While these distances certainly play an important role in riding, so does the 7" between your ears. Since this is where confidence, optimism and willpower is born, it just might be the most important distance of all.

We all strive for greatness. Regardless of our age, level or discipline, our horses and sport are too important to us to give anything less than the best. So what happens when mistakes and missed opportunities shake your tree of confidence? What happens when regrets replace your rebounds and threaten to rob you of your greatness?

You've undoubtedly heard the term, "Get in the Zone," but just what is the zone and how in the world do you get there?An important requirement to riding well is staying focused on the present and positive - rather than on the past and problems. The reason "being in the zone" is so important is that this happens automatically when you're in the zone.

Mental Multi TaskingFocusing on the positive in the present - instead of problems in the past - is what often separates ordinary rides from the extraordinary ones, and what helps you keep it together when you might otherwise fall apart.

What's Your Excuse?We all make excuses from time to time. Regardless of the excuse, their purpose is usually to deflect blame away from ourselves after a poor performance or mistake. From the wind and the judge to our horse and the order of go, there's no shortage of things we can find to take the blame for our missteps. Unfortunately, when we deflect blame away from ourselves, we also deflect away any possibility of learning from our mistake.